"And
Laban caught up with Jacob. Now Jacob
had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsmen camped in
the hill country of Gilead. Then Laban
said to Jacob, 'What have you done by deceiving me and carrying away my
daughters like captives of the sword?
"'Why
did you flee secretly and deceive me, and did not tell me, so that I might have
sent you away with joy and with songs, with timbrel and with lyre; and did not
allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters?
Now you have done foolishly. 'It
is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last
night saying, 'Be careful not to speak either good or bad to Jacob. And now you have indeed gone away because you
longed greatly for your fathers house; but why did you steal my gods?'
"Then
Jacob answered and said to Laban, 'Because I was afraid, for I said, 'Lest you
would take your daughters from me by force.'
The one with whom you find your gods shall not live; in the presence of
our kinsmen point what is yours among my belongings and take it for
yourself.' For Jacob did not know that
Rachel had stolen them." Genesis
31:25-32
Our
words and thoughts can cause us tremendous damage, even if we do not take
action upon them. Laban has pursued
Jacob, not for his household gods, but because he wanted to keep Jacob and his
family against their will and prosper from their hard labour, wisdom and
standing with God. He meant harm. God intervened by convicting him of his
sin. And then, when confronted, Jacob makes
a quick vow that would put those he loved at risk.
Take
care with love, especially His! Your
servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS:
ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY? Please send
updates! For any of you who wonder if
prayer is worth taking time for, just page through previous entries and see the
hand of our loving Father in action!
URGENT
PRAYER REQUEST: PNS, as he waits to hear the results of his pursuit of a
great project role.
NEW
PRAYER REQUESTS: Liz just had a miscarriage at four months. David
R just been declared legally blind from macular degeneration.
PRAISE
& THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all
your prayers for my brother, Tim, and
his wife Barb. And he may have
an opportunity for satisfying work! Through a State-funded program, their mortgage
payment will now be made for the next 18 months. Carlton
(painful bone infections) is feeling a bit better finally.
PRAY
FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS: Raven - is still in hospital
undergoing cancer therapy. For Audley
and Beverly’s situation and his new endeavour. For Nancy
who is growing stronger and for Fred
as he cares for her.
Scott for mental and
physical healing, God focus and ability to think clearly. Pray for the two sons of Melanie Karunaratne (recently passed away). Adrian
is home but so agitated from all the procedures and treatments for his cancer,
he is beginning to forget about thanksgiving.
Pray for the person
who has so kindly given him a place to live during these many long months of
disability.
ONGOING
JOB RELATED: Barbara (sister-in-law) has had a few very promising job
interviews. Pray the Lord has one of
these positions for her. Be with Hans as he struggles through
changes in his life – that he'll cling securely to the Lord and that there will
be an unexpected, satisfying job in his chosen field for him.
For
PJ that he may find projects
to fill his needs. Please pray for a new
project for me and the wisdom of my
next steps.
ONGOING
PRAYER REQUESTS: Pray the Lord’s hand is
dramatically apparent in the lives of all
who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty works would be
worked out in each life for His purposes in surprising and wonderful ways!
Isaac and Dad (84 years
old) after a heart attack still needs procedures and for the unrest and civil
war in the Philippines where
his ministry is searching for the Lord's fruit.
Pray for Milo as he
studies in Germany till February and for his mom, Sabine as she adjusts to this time away.
Carla &
Paul K
for good results from their business plans.
Please pray for Deborah
as she deals with a difficult situation.
Give her focus and comfort for her hurting heart as He brings about His
will in this situation.
For
Linda and Ian. For Rob
and his daughter. For Reg. Pray for Annette
and her wonderful family. Pray for
wisdom for my brother as he deals with an important matter. For David
K, in his studies and Matthew
K as he grows up. Elaine and Jim back in Hong
Kong.
PRAY
FOR THE WORLD: God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His
children there and for the many nations and individuals suffering from global
financial mismanagement. Pray for the
Catholic Church and that the new Pope
will always put Jesus first.
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